Capsule for beverages

ABSTRACT

A capsule includes: an aluminum casing extending about an axis, which includes base and side walls defining a cavity containing a product, and a flanged edge extending from the side wall and including an end annular bead; a covering element, fixed to the flanged edge to close the cavity; a cellulose-based ring sealing element, to seal with a dispensing machine. The flanged edge includes a first portion including the annular bead, an annular second portion contiguous with the side wall, and a connecting portion between the first and second portions. The second portion lies on a first plane and the first portion is displaced towards the base wall and is at least at a predetermined distance from the first plane, between the connecting portion and the side wall a seat being defined in which the ring is housed at least partially.

The present invention relates to a capsule for beverages that is acapsule that is suitable for containing an initial product to be joinedto a fluid to obtain a final product.

In particular, the invention relates to a single-dose and disposablecapsule containing an initial product, for example like coffee powderthat is able to make, by interacting with pressurized water, a finalproduct, for example a coffee beverage.

In detail, the capsule is particularly configured to prepare products,for example beverages, in automatic dispensing machines.

The known capsules for use in dispensing machines are disposable,single-dose containers comprising an outer casing and having the shapeof a glass or cup. The casing usually has a base wall and a side walldefining a cavity containing the initial product, for example groundcoffee or tea, from which the final product is to be obtained, forexample the beverage. A flanged edge extends from the side wall and isarranged around the cavity on the side opposite the base wall.

The cavity, at a mouth thereof is hermetically closed by a coveringelement, fixed to the flanged edge, so as to seal the initial productinside the container.

The capsule can be used in a dispensing machine in which the capsule canbe inserted by a user, into a chamber of the dispensing machine. Duringdispensing, the base wall of the capsule is perforated by an injectiondevice to inject pressurized liquid, for example water, into the capsuleand the covering element is perforated by a dispensing device of thedispensing machine to enable the final product to be dispensed.

The dispensing device of the dispensing machine comprises a dispensingplate provided with a plurality of pointed elements that, when apressure of the fluid inside the capsule increases, engage with thecovering element and perforate it in a plurality of different zones. Thefinal product can flow into a fruition container through theperforations made by the dispensing device of the dispensing machine.

For good dispensing results, the capsule further comprises a sealingelement arranged at the flanged edge which is configured to make afluidic seal with the dispensing machine, in particular with aprotrusion-shaped housing element of the dispensing machine, the capsulebeing insertable into the protrusion-shaped housing element.

The sealing element prevents an outflow of the pressurised liquid athigh operating pressure of the dispensing machine and, in use, iscrushed between the housing element of the dispensing machine and thedispensing plate of the dispensing device.

An example of a capsule with sealing element is provided by patentEP1654966, in which the casing is made of aluminium and the sealingelement is an elastic ring made of silicone rubber fixed to the flangededge.

Using aluminium for the casing of the capsule is particularlyadvantageous because it enables the initial product to be kept a longtime inside the cavity, being impermeable to oxygen and to water vapour.However, placing the elastomeric ring in the silicone casing requiresdevices to apply the silicone rubber to the flanged edge and it isdifficult to produce, with the consequence that, if the sealing elementis applied imprecisely, undesired leaks of water can occur duringdispensing of the beverage.

In addition, although the aluminium itself is recyclable, a body formedby the aluminium casing and by the silicone rubber sealing element is nolonger recyclable and this constitutes a problem for the increasinglyfelt need to make an entirely recyclable product for the purposes ofwaste disposal.

For this purpose, capsules have become widespread on the market in whichthe casing is made of aluminium and the sealing element is a ring ofcompostable material, for example the sealing element is made of paperor of natural fibres to ensure that the capsule has only compostable orcompletely recyclable material.

In capsules with an aluminium casing, the flanged edge is planar andcomprises an end annular bead, at which a border of the aluminium casingis folded on itself in accordance with the prior art and extendssymmetrically, in a direction parallel to an axis of symmetry of thecapsule, towards the base wall and on the opposite side thereto.

By conducting experimental dispensing tests with capsules in which thesealing element is not silicone rubber but cellulose-based material, forexample paper and/or cardboard, the Applicant noted that defectivedispensing operations may occur.

For example, the Applicant has verified that in many dispensingoperations, for example of espresso coffee, the beverage can be precededby dispensing of only water.

This defectiveness is due to the occurrence of leaks of water from thefront and/or rear of the dispensing machine that, being conveyed to thefruition container intended to subsequently receive the beverage, dilutein an undesired manner the beverage to be obtained.

Such leaks are fluidic losses that can be frontal and/or rear losses.

The Applicant has also verified that in the same or in other dispensingoperations, the capsule may remain suspended in the machine and not fallautomatically into the inner receptacle dedicated to receiving thecapsules already used. The user is thus forced to open the machine tofree manually the capsule trapped in order to be able to continue to usethe dispensing machine in the subsequent dispensing operations.

This other defectiveness is due to the fact that the capsule remainscoupled to the housing element of the dispensing machine, withoutbecoming uncoupled automatically.

The technical purpose which forms the basis of the present invention isthus to make available a capsule that overcomes the drawbacks ofcapsules of known type.

A further purpose of the present invention is to obtain a capsule withaluminium casing and sealing element made of paper material in which thepercentage of defects, that is the percentage of defective dispensingoperations with respect to the total of dispensing operations conducted,is less than the defects of capsules of known type to increasedispensing efficiency.

Another further purpose of the present invention is to obtain a capsule,that is simple to make and of moderate cost, with aluminium casing and asealing element made of paper material that ensures good beverageextraction quality, reducing fluidic losses, simultaneously ensuringautomatic uncoupling at the end of dispensing.

These purposes specified are achieved by a capsule in accordance withthe present invention, comprising the technical characteristics set outin one or more of the appended claims.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent from the following indicative, and hencenon-limiting, description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodimentof a capsule as illustrated in the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a capsule in accordance with the presentinvention, on the side of a base wall of the capsule, wherein for thesake of clarity a covering element fixed to a flanged edge of thecapsule is detached therefrom;

FIG. 2 shows a prospective section of the capsule of FIG. 1 , on theside opposite the side of the base wall;

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the capsule of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 shows an enlargement of the view of FIG. 3 , in which the flangededge, an end annular bead and a sealing element made as a ring andassociated with the flanged edge are shown in detail;

FIG. 5 shows an enlargement of the flanged edge of one variant of thecapsule of FIG. 1 , in which the ring is made by one layer and a furtherlayer, fixed together and fixed to the flanged edge by a joining layerand a further joining layer;

FIG. 6 shows an enlargement of the flanged edge of another variant ofthe capsule of FIG. 1 , in which the ring abuts on a connecting portionof the flanged edge;

FIG. 7 shows an enlargement of the flanged edge of another differentvariant of the capsule of FIG. 1 , in which the sealing elementcomprises a ring and a further ring, arranged on the opposite side ofthe flanged edge and facing the ring;

FIG. 8 shows an enlargement of the flanged edge of another furthervariant of the capsule of FIG. 1 , in which the ring abuts on aconnecting portion of the flanged edge and an outer zone of the ring isflexed towards the base wall.

In the following description, the same elements are indicated with thesame reference numbers in the various Figures. It is also pointed outthat unless differences are explicitly stated, the same elements aredeemed to be applicable to all the different variants.

With reference to attached FIGS. 1 to 8 , with 1 a capsule is indicatedin accordance with the present invention, which is usable in adispensing machine, which is not illustrated. More precisely, thecapsule 1 is insertable into a chamber, which is not illustrated, of thedispensing machine.

The capsule 1 comprises a casing 2 that has an axis Z of longitudinalextent shown in FIG. 3 , for example an axis of symmetry.

The casing 2, as will be seen better in detail below, is preferably madeof aluminium, for example by drawing.

The casing 2 is substantially of truncated-cone shape, and i.e. shapedas a glass or cup. The casing 2 comprises a base wall 201 and a sidewall 202, defining a cavity that is open, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , and aflanged edge 204, which extends from the side wall 202.

In detail, the side wall 202 is divergent from the base wall 201.

The cavity 203 is suitable for containing an initial product (notillustrated) to be combined with a fluid (not illustrated) to obtain afinal product (not illustrated). The fluid is, preferably, a hot or coldpressurized liquid delivered into the cavity 203 in a step of injectingthe fluid to obtain the final product.

As said previously, the initial product is for example a soluble,freeze-dried, dehydrated, concentrated, percolatable, lyophilised,powdered food product—for example coffee; alternatively, the initialpreparation can be for example a leaf food product—for example tea. Thefluid is preferably water, which is hot and pressurized, which enables abeverage to be obtained, for example coffee, barley, tea or an herbaldrink.

The flanged edge 204 comprises an annular bead 205, which makes the endof the flanged edge 204.

A border 2′ of the casing 2 can be, preferably, folded in the bead 205so that it is positioned inside the bead 205. Nevertheless, otherconfigurations of the border 2′ can be possible.

The capsule 1 comprises a covering element 3 fixed to the flanged edge204 so as to close the cavity 203. The covering element 3 is fixed tothe flanged edge 204 by heat or ultrasound welding, or gluing, oppositeto the base wall 201.

The covering element 3 is perforable by a dispensing device of thedispensing machine so that the final product can be dispensed throughthe covering element 3.

A sealing element 4 is associated with the flanged edge 204 on the sideof the base wall 201 to make a fluidic seal with the dispensing machine,for example with a housing element of the dispensing machine, thehousing element being shaped as a protrusion.

The sealing element 4 comprises an annular body 401 made by acellulose-based material that is made as a paper or cardboard ring, ornatural fibre ring or ring made of a composition which comprises acombination of these materials.

Subsequently, for simplicity's sake but without limiting the scope, thering 401 will be cited as being made of paper and/or cardboard.

Owing to the fact that the sealing element 4 comprises thecellulose-based ring 401, the sealing element 4 is easily made andmoreover makes the capsule 1 entirely recyclable.

The flanged edge 204 comprises a first portion 206, which comprises theannular bead 205, a second portion 207, contiguous to the side wall 202,and a connecting portion 208, between the first portion 206 and thesecond portion 207.

The connecting portion 208 is so shaped as to connect together the firstportion 206 and the second portion 207.

The second portion 207 is annular and lies on a first plane, the firstportion 206 is displaced towards the base wall 201 and is at least at apredetermined distance D from the first plane, between the connectingportion 208 and the side wall 202 being defined a seat 209 in which, atleast partially, the ring 401 is housed.

As will be seen, this enables a reinforced fluidic seal and effectiveuncoupling from the dispensing machine to be obtained after dispensing.

The seat 209 is concave and the displacement of the first portion 206,with the entire annular bead 205, towards the base wall 201 contributesto delimiting the seat further 209 towards the base wall 201.

Owing to the fact that the first portion 206 is displaced towards thebase wall 201 and creates the seat 209 in which the ring 4 is housed atleast partially, the Applicant has been able to verify experimentally animprovement of the fluidic seal and thus a reduced quantity of frontaland/or rear fluidic losses, and a considerable improvement indefectiveness due to the fall of the capsule 1 at the end of dispensing.

As indicated previously, the term “fluidic losses” means leaks of waterfrom the frontal and/or rear part of the dispensing machine that are dueto a defective fluidic seal between the sealing element 4 and thedispensing machine.

With regard to the fluidic seal, the displacement and the consequentchange in level between the first portion 206 in which the annular bead205 is located and the second portion 207, which lies in the firstplane, enables a deformation to be generated in the flanged edge 204, atthe connecting portion 208, which makes the flanged edge 204 more easilyadaptable when the flanged edge 204, together with the ring 401, isclamped between the housing element and a dispensing plate (notillustrated) of the dispensing machine.

As already disclosed previously, the dispensing plate is provided with aplurality of pointed elements (not shown) that, when a pressure of thefluid inside the capsule increases, engage with the covering element 3to perforate the covering element 3 in a plurality of different zones.

On the other hand, with regard to the fall of the capsule 1 at the endof dispensing, the seat 209 is able to contain internally the ring 401and thus possible friction between the paper and ejection guides (notshown) of the dispensing machine can be avoided that may prevent thecapsule 1 from being correctly uncoupled.

Owing to the fact that the flanged edge 204 has the annular bead 205displaced and owing to the fact that the paper ring can be housed atleast partially in the seat 209, the capsule 1 in accordance with thepresent invention has a surprising technical effect because it is ableto reduce significantly both the defectiveness linked to the fluidiclosses and the defectiveness linked to the automatic uncoupling from thedispensing machine.

It should be noted that the first portion 206 is contained in ahalf-space facing towards the base wall 201, which half-space is definedby a second plane which is located at said predetermined distance D.

In other words, the distance D is the distance to which the outerportion of the flanged edge 204 is displaced, which corresponds to thefirst portion 206, which also comprises the annular bead 205.

It should be noted that the first portion 206 comprises an annular part206′, which is contiguous to the connecting portion 208 and is planar,the annular part 206′ lying on the second plane.

The distance D is thus measurable in a direction parallel to the axis Zbetween the second portion 207 of the annular flanged edge 204. and theannular part 206′ of the first portion 206.

The predetermined distance D is preferably comprised between 0.10 mm and0.90 mm, still more preferably comprised between 0.20 mm and 0.60 mm,still more preferably equal to 0.30.

The predetermined distance D can also be equal to 0.50 mm.

Considering a dimension of the annular bead 205 in a direction parallelto the axis Z, which is for example equal to 1.30 mm and considering adistance D equal to 0.30 mm, it can be noted that, in this manner, oneend 205′ of the annular bead 205 extends to the base wall 201 as far asa distance D′ from the first plane that is equal to 1.60 mm.

In relation to the distance D and to the thickness of the ring 401, itis noted that the ring 401 can be contained entirely, in a directionparallel to the axis Z, inside the seat 209 or can protrude therefromand be delimited by the annular bead 205 and be contained inside theoverall dimensions of the annular bead 205 within the distance D′.

In other words, being displaced entirely towards the base wall 201, theannular bead 205 contributes to delimiting the seat further 209laterally and defines, together with the connecting portion 208, arespective outer wall of the seat 209, that on the opposite side facesthe side wall 202 of the capsule. With the values supplied above by wayof example, the seat 209 is delimited laterally by the connectingportion 208 and/or by the annular bead 205 up to 1.60 mm.

In a direction parallel to the axis Z, the distance D′ from the firstplane is preferably greater than the thickness of the ring 401 tocontain the ring 401 entirely inside the seat 209.

The connecting portion 208 can have a stepped truncated-coneconformation, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 8 , or a curved conformation, forexample with a change of inclination, which is not illustrated.

In other words, the connecting portion 208 can be shaped as a planarsurface that connects the first portion 206 and the second portion 207or as a surface in which a change of curvature is present.

It should be noted that the ring 401 is associated with the flanged edge204 at least in a region intended to create the fluidic seal with thedispensing machine and that is in the region with which, duringdispensing, the protrusion-shaped housing elements engages.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 7 , the ring 401 can be associated only withthe second portion 207 without necessarily abutting on the connectingportion 208 and/or the annular bead 205, and/or the side wall 202.

In this case, as will be seen in detail below, the ring 401 can bejoined to the flanged edge 204 by a joining layer, configured to enablethe cellulose-based layer to be joined to the flanged edge 204.

The ring 401 can comprise an outer zone 402, shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 ,which extends as far as abutting on the connecting portion 208.

In other words, the radial extent of the ring 401 can be such as to abuton the connecting portion 208 and/or the annular bead 205, if thethickness of the ring 401 is such as to abut on the latter. The ring 401can comprise an inner zone 403 from which the outer zone 402 extends.

Optionally, the ring 401 can be retained associated to the casing 2 byinterference between the outer zone 402 and the connecting portion 208and/or the annular bead 205.

Owing to this interference with the connecting portion 208 and/or theannular bead 205, the ring 401 can be stably associated with the capsule1 without the need to be further fixed to the flanged edge 204.

This increases the constructional simplicity of the capsule 1.

If the outer zone 402 of the ring 401 abuts on the connecting portion208, said outer zone 402 can be flexed towards the base wall 201, asshown in FIG. 8 . If the inner zone 403 is planar, the outer zone 402that is flexed can extend therefrom.

Nevertheless, regardless of the fact that the outer zone 402 may or maynot abut on the connecting portion 208, the inner zone 403 can extend asfar as it abuts on the side wall 202 of the capsule 2, in anon-illustrated manner.

If, for example, the ring 401 is about 1 mm wide and extends as far asto abut on the side wall 202, the fluidic seal with the housing elementof the dispensing machine is anyway guaranteed.

Optionally, the ring 401 can be retained associated to the capsule 1 byinterference between the inner zone 403 and the side wall 202.

Owing to this interference with the side wall 202, the ring 401 can bestably associated with the capsule 1 without the need to be furtherfixed to the flanged edge 204.

Again, this increases the constructional simplicity of the capsule 1.

In one version, the ring 401 can be L-shaped and have a side portionshaped to follow a profile of the side wall 202.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 , and in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the ring 401 cancomprise a single layer of cellulose-based material intended to contactthe dispensing machine 5. The layer can be, for example, made of paperor cardboard, with grammage comprised between 250 g/m2 and 900 g/m2,preferably comprised between 300 g/m2 and 750 g/m2, preferably equal to700 /m2.

The term grammage means a density value of the paper and/or of thecardboard, which is expressed as a value in grams by square metre.

Although the paper and/or the cardboard has a thickness that usuallydepends on the grammage used, the thickness of the paper and/orcardboard can vary according to different factors, like for example thetype of processing performed during production of the paper and/orcardboard or the quantity of wood fibre present therein.

In fact, for the same grammage, high density paper and/or cardboard mayexist that has a set thickness and low density paper and/or cardboardmay exist that has a thickness that is greater than the set thickness.

For this reason, although the preferred grammage for making the ring ofpaper is comprised in a grammage range as disclosed above, the thicknessof the ring 401 will also be indicated below because the experimentaltests conducted were based on the thickness of the ring 401.

In one version that is not shown, the ring 401 can comprise acellulose-based layer arranged externally, and a joining layer (which isnot shown) configured to enable the cellulose-based layer to be joinedto the flanged edge 204.

In other words, the paper or cardboard ring 401, which makes the sealingelement 4, can be made of a single paper and/or cardboard layer, asshown in FIGS. 2 to 4 , and in FIGS. 7 and 8 , and be retained byinterference or be additionally optionally fixed by the joining layer tothe aluminium flanged edge 204.

The joining layer is a layer of adhesive material that is activatable byheat.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the ring 401 can comprise a cellulose-basedlayer 404, arranged towards the outside in contact with the dispensingmachine, the joining layer 405 configured to enable the ring 401 to bejoined to the flanged edge 204, but the ring 401 can also comprise afurther layer 406 of cellulose-based material and a further joininglayer 407, the latter joining together the cellulose-based layer 404 andthe further cellulose-based layer 406, the further cellulose-based layer406 being joined to the flanged edge 204 by the joining layer 405.

The ring 401 can be, in other words, be made with a doublecellulose-based layer.

Optionally, according to a version that is not shown, the outer layer404 can be L-shaped to follow at least partially both the flanged edge204 and the side wall 202.

The joining layer 405, in the single layer version or in the doublelayer version of cellulose-based material, can be made of adhesivematerial or of a material like polythene, or polyolefin or polylacticacid (PLA) that, when it is applied to the flanged edge by heat, becomessticky and joins the further layer 406 to the flanged edge 204, and moreprecisely to the second portion 207 of the flanged edge 204.

The same considerations are also valid for the further joining layer407, configured to join together the cellulose-based layer 404 and thefurther cellulose-based layer 406, which is a layer of adhesive materialthat is activatable by heat.

The joining layer 405, and optionally the further joining layer 407 canalso be made of hot glue that acts when it is activated with heat.

Otherwise, the joining layer 405 and optionally the further joininglayer 407 can be activated by ultrasound welding.

Each cellulose-based layer, and i.e. the layer 404 and the further layer406, can have for example a grammage equal to 350 g/m2 for a total of700 g/m2.

In accordance with one version, which is not shown, the flanged edge204, and preferably the entire casing 2, can optionally be coatedexternally by a lacquer, which can be transparent, or coloured, which issuitable for joining with the joining layer 405 when the joining layer405 is softened, or melts, by heat or with ultrasound, to obtainadhesion of the joining layer 405 to the flanged edge 204.

The lacquer is configured to coat externally the aluminium,simultaneously customising the aluminium if it is coloured, and tofacilitate the adhesion of the joining layer 405 to the aluminium of thecasing 2. The lacquer can in fact combine with the polythene, or withthe polylactic acid, when both are heated (the lacquer can also beheated optionally), being activatable by heat, to enable the cellulosering to be joined to the lacquer coating the aluminium.

Preferably, the lacquer is selected so as to be compatible with thejoining layer 405, thus ensuring a permanent weld or adhesion that issuitable for not detaching the ring 401 from the flanged edge 204 evenduring dispensing.

Owing to the fact that the ring 401 can be made by a pair ofcellulose-based layers 404, 406 that are joined together it is possibleto select each layer 404, 406 in an appropriate manner in terms of thegrammage and/or the thickness and/or the composition.

For example, the layer 404 arranged externally can be chosen with agrammage and/or thickness and/or composition that is different from thefurther layer 406, arranged internally, such that the ring 401 has thecharacteristics required for the fluidic seal and uncoupling from thehousing element of the dispensing machine, as will be seen in detailbelow, but at the same time also has a reduced cost.

For example, the outer layer 404 can be selected with a lower densitythan the further layer 406 below the outer layer 404, in order to deformbetter and promote the fluidic seal during dispensing, or can beselected by a colour or texture that is different from the further layer406 (which is preferably neutral-white), so as to be able to bedistinguishable for a user.

According to one variant shown in FIG. 7 , the sealing element comprisesa further ring 408 made of a cellulose-based material, which is fixed tothe covering element 3 on the side opposite the flanged edge 204.

The further ring 408 is aligned on the ring 401 so as to form astratified sealing element 4, in which the planar second portion 207made of aluminium, and the covering element 3 joined thereto areinserted between the ring 401 and the further ring 408, arrangedopposite and facing one another.

For the further ring 408, what was said before applies, and thus alsothe further ring 408 can be made of a single layer 404 ofcellulose-based material, joined to the covering element 3 by thejoining layer 405, or the further ring 408 can be made by the layer 404,the further layer 406 and the joining layer 405 and the further joininglayer 407.

The further layer 408 can have a grammage and/or thickness and/orcomposition that is different from the ring 401.

It should be noted that, during dispensing, the further ring 408contributes to the fluidic seal with the dispensing machine but alsoperforms the function of spacer between the capsule 1 and the dispensingmachine.

In fact, the further ring 408, which is placed in contact with thedispensing plate of the dispensing machine, maintains the flanged edge204 spaced apart from the dispensing plate and displaces the flangededge 204 and the ring 401 towards the base wall 201.

As a result, owing to the presence of the further ring 408, reducedthickness can be sufficient for the ring 401, with a consequentfinancial advantage for selecting the material with which the ring 401can be made.

The ring 401, or if present the further ring 408, preferably have aconstant thickness.

It should be noted that, from experimental tests, it has been shown tobe particularly advantageous, in order to minimize the percentage ofdefective dispensing caused by fluidic losses and/or failed automaticuncoupling of the capsule, that the thickness of the ring 401 iscomprised between 0.30 mm and 1.2 mm, preferably comprised between 0.55mm and 1.10 mm, still more preferably comprised between 0.70 mm and 1.00m, preferably equal to 0.90 mm.

In one variant, it has been experimentally proven that the defectivedispensing decreases also with a thickness of the ring 401 equal to 0.45mm, as will be demonstrated below.

In use, the capsule 1 is inserted by a user into a chamber of thedispensing machine that is opened for this purpose by, for example, alever mechanism. Using the same mechanism, the user can close thechamber to start dispensing and, when the chamber is closed, theprotrusion-shaped housing element of the dispensing machine can compressthe sealing element 4 that is the ring 401 inelastically to make thefluidic seal. During dispensing, the pressurized fluid is injected intothe capsule and the ring 401, compressed inelastically by the housingelement, makes the fluidic seal with the dispensing machine.

The same thing happens if the capsule 1, in addition to the ring 401,comprises also the further ring 408, arranged on the opposite side ofthe ring 401.

Owing to the connecting portion 208, in which the flanged edge 204 isdeformed to connect the first portion 206 displaced downwards and theplanar second portion 207 with which the ring 401 is associated, theflanged edge 4 can adapt more closely to the dispensing machine and thusthe fluidic seal made by the ring 401 with the dispensing machine itselfcan be improved.

When the pressurized liquid is injected, the pressure of the finalproduct increases inside the capsule, which in turn deforms the coveringelement 3 towards the pointed elements of the dispensing plate of thedispensing machine, which perforate the covering element 3.

At the end of dispensing, the user can open the chamber by actuatingagain the lever mechanism to enable the capsule 1 to be uncoupled.

Owing to the fact that the connecting portion 208 and/or the firstportion 206 which comprises the annular bead 205 contain the ring 401 inthe seat 209, friction is avoided between the ring 401 and the expulsionguides of the dispensing machine and this enables the percentage ofdefects of the dispensing machine to be reduced that are due to thesuspension in the machine. The capsule 1 that has just been used, assoon as the user opens the chamber, can be in fact uncoupled from thehousing element and can fall into the recovery receptacle of the alreadyused capsules.

Experimental tests conducted by the Applicant have shown that by makingan aluminium capsule 1 with sealing element 4 made as a paper ring 401and by moving the first portion 206 of the flanged edge 204 comprisingthe annular bead 205 towards the base wall 201, the defectiveness thatis linked to the front and/or rear fluidic losses and the defectivenessthat is linked to the failed uncoupling of the capsule 1 at the end ofdispensing are decreased.

The experimental tests were conducted using the following Nespresso™coffee machines: Essenza Mini™ and Citiz™.

A first series of tests and a second series of tests were conductedusing capsules with an aluminium casing of known type and sealingelement made as a paper ring, in which the casing comprises a planaraluminium flanged edge and an end annular bead that, in a directionparallel to the axis Z, extends symmetrically towards a base wall of thecasing and on opposite side thereto.

In the first series of tests a paper ring with a thickness of 0.45 mmwas used, in the second series of tests a paper ring with a thickness of0.90 mm was used.

A third series of tests and a fourth series of tests were conductedusing capsules 1 with aluminium casings 2 in accordance with theinvention and sealing element 4 made as a paper ring, in which thecasing 2 comprises a flanged edge 204 comprising a first portion 206comprising the annular bead 205 displaced towards the base wall 201 by adistance D equal to 0.30 mm.

In the third series of tests, a paper ring with a thickness of 0.45 mmwas used, in the fourth series of trials a paper ring with a thicknessof 0.90 mm was used.

In the tests conducted, the capsules were all filled with the same 5.50g dose of coffee.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 1

A first series of tests (96 dispensing operations) was conducted usingcapsules as indicated previously, with aluminium casing of known typewith planar flanged edge and a sealing element made as a paper ring thatis 0.45 mm thick.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 2

A second series of trials (35 dispensing operations) was conducted usingcapsules as indicated previously, with aluminium casing of known typewith a planar flanged edge and a sealing element made as a paper ringthat is 0.90 mm thick.

Example 3 in accordance with the invention

A third series of tests (40 dispensing operations) was conducted usingcapsules according to the invention, with flanged edge with firstportion 206 displaced, in which the sealing element is made as a paperring 401 that is 0.45 mm thick.

Example 4 in accordance with the invention

A fourth series of tests (40 dispensing operations) was conducted usingcapsules according to the invention, with flanged edge with firstportion 206 displaced, in which the sealing element is made as a paperring 401 that is 0.90mm thick.

The following table shows the percentage of defects found in each seriesof tests, defective dispensing operations being expressed as apercentage of total dispensing operations performed.

Comparative Comparative Example Example example 1 example 2 3 4suspension 16.7 (1) 77.1⁽²⁾  0.0 0.0 in the machine (%) fluidic losses89.5 14.3⁽³⁾ 25.0 ⁽⁴⁾ 0.0 (%)

(1) All the suspensions in the machine were detected in one of thecoffee machines tested.

(2) About 66% of the suspensions in the machine were detected in one ofthe coffee machines tested, the same one in which the suspensions in themachine of Comparative Example 1 occurred.

(3) All the fluidic losses were detected in one of the coffee machinestested, the same one in which the suspensions in the machine ofComparative Example 1 occurred.

(4) All the fluidic losses were detected in one of the coffee machinestested, the same one in which the suspensions in the machine weredetected of Comparative Example 1.

As already indicated previously, suspension in the machine means thatthe capsule, at the end of dispensing, remains coupled to the housingelement of the dispensing machine and is not uncoupled automatically.

As already indicated previously, fluidic losses mean the frontal and/orrear losses that occur in the presence of leaks of water from thefrontal and/or rear part of the dispensing machine.

Experimentally, it has been established that the conformation of theflanged edge 204 in accordance with the present invention is able toinfluence positively both the defects due to the fluidic losses and thedefects due to the uncoupling of the capsule after dispensing.

1. A capsule comprising: a casing which extends about an axis, whichcasing comprises a base wall and a side wall defining a cavitycontaining an initial product to be combined with a fluid to obtain afinal product, and a flanged edge extending from said side wall andcomprising an annular bead; a covering element, fixed to the flangededge so as to close the cavity; a sealing element, associated to theflanged edge to make a fluidic seal with a dispensing machine; whereinthe casing is made of aluminium and the sealing element comprises acellulose-based ring; and wherein the flanged edge comprises a firstportion which comprises the annular bead, a second portion, contiguousto the side wall, and a connecting portion, between the first portionand the second portion; wherein the second portion is annular and lieson a first plane and the first portion is displaced towards the basewall and is at least at a predetermined distance from the first plane,between the connecting portion and the side wall being defined a seat inwhich, at least partially, the ring is housed.
 2. The capsule accordingto claim 1, wherein the first portion is contained in a half-spacefacing towards the base wall, which half-space is defined by a secondplane which is located at said predetermined distance.
 3. The capsuleaccording to claim 2, wherein the first portion comprises an annularpart, which is contiguous to the connecting portion and is planar, theannular part lying on the second plane.
 4. The capsule according toclaim 1, wherein said predetermined distance is comprised between 0.10mm and 0.90 mm, still more preferably comprised between 0.20 mm and 0.60mm, still more preferably equal to 0.30.
 5. The capsule according toclaim 1, wherein the connecting portion has a curved conformation with achange of inclination or a stepped truncated-cone conformation.
 6. Thecapsule according to claim 1, wherein the ring comprises an outer zonewhich extends at least up to abutting on the connecting portion.
 7. Thecapsule according to claim 6, wherein the ring is retained associated tothe casing by interference between the outer zone and the connectingportion and/or the annular bead.
 8. The capsule according to claim 6,wherein the outer zone abuts on the connecting portion and is flexedtowards the base wall, the ring comprising a planar inner zone fromwhich the flexed outer zone extends.
 9. The capsule according to claim1, wherein the ring comprises an inner zone which extends at least up toabutting on the side wall of the capsule and is planar.
 10. The capsuleaccording to claim 9, wherein the ring is retained associated to thecapsule by interference between the inner zone and the side wall. 11.The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the ring comprises a singlelayer of cellulose-based material intended to contact the dispensingmachine.
 12. The capsule according to claim 11, wherein the ringadditionally comprises a joining layer configured to enable the joiningof the ring to the flanged edge.
 13. The capsule according to claim 12,wherein the layer and the flanged edge are joined to one another bymeans of the joining layer.
 14. The capsule according to claim 1,wherein the ring comprises a layer made of cellulose-based materialintended to contact the dispensing machine and in addition a joininglayer configured to enable the ring to be joined to the flanged edge;the ring further comprising a further layer of cellulose-based materialand a further joining layer, the further joining layer joining thecellulose-based layer and the further cellulose-based layer to oneanother, the further cellulose-based layer and the flanged edge beingjoined to one another by the joining layer.
 15. The capsule according toclaim 1, wherein the sealing element comprises a further cellulose-basedring, the further cellulose-based ring being fixed to the coveringelement on the side opposite the flanged edge.
 16. The capsule accordingto claim 15, wherein the further ring is aligned with the ring so as toform a stratified sealing element, in which the second portion and thecovering element are inserted between the ring and the further ring,arranged opposite and facing one another.
 17. The capsule according toclaim 1, wherein the ring has a thickness comprised between 0.30 mm and1.2 mm, preferably comprised between 0.55 mm and 1.10 mm, still morepreferably comprised between 0.70 mm and 1.00 mm, preferably 0.90 mm.18. The capsule according to claim 1, wherein the ring can be made, forexample, of paper or cardboard, with a grammage comprised between 250g/m2 and 900 g/m2, preferably comprised between 300 g/m2 and 750 g/m2.19. The capsule according to claim 18, wherein the grammage of thesingle layer is equal to 700 gr/m2.
 20. The capsule according to claim18, wherein the layer and the further layer have a grammage equal to 350gr/m2.